Another question on margin (initial requirement vs. buying power)

[nijshar28]

Some brokers advertise their offering of margin accounts with 4x buying power for trading stocks. I am specifically thinking of Alpaca (margin info here https://alpaca.markets/docs/trading-on-alpaca/margin-and-shorting/). However, the initial margin requirement for these accounts is still 50%. So when you are actually buying stuff your buying power is 2x. I don't get it. Please explain. Thank you.

 

[Robert Morse]

Good morning nijshar28- If you get approved for 4X margin for day trading, we still have some symbols that require a higher margin for a number of reasons. please give us an example of a symbol you are interested in. We are not that broker, so I can't speak for them.

 

[tonyf]

This key it seems, Buying Power only applies for day trading.
Excess Liquidity is what matters over night is my understanding.